World number one Novak Djokovic recovered from a set behind against Mikhail Youzhny on Wednesday to book his spot in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters courtesy of a 4-6 6-1 6-4 victory.

The match started in the worst possible fashion for the Serbian as he was twice broken before Youzhny held serve to move 4-0 ahead in the opening set.

Djokovic did break back at 5-2 before holding serve to move one game behind, but the Russian held strong to serve out the opening set 6-4.

It was the world number one that bossed the second set, however, as he secured two successive breaks to send the match into a deciding set.

Djokovic broke his opponent in the opening game of the third, but Youzhny responded with a break of his own to level the match at 3-3 in the final set.

Djokovic rallied in the final moments, however, as he broke at 4-4 before serving for a spot in the next round.